Latching device



G. L. ROGERS LATCHING DEVICE oct. 1o, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 led Feb. 17. 1955 Original F .a ou Ilnillllll G. L. ROGERS LATCHING DEVICE Oct. 10, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Feb. 17. 1955 ....p" ...ifvl'u INVENTOR, GERALD L. ROGERS Bvg y P ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,003,213 Y LATCHING DEVICE Gerald L. Rogers, Olivette, Mo., assignor to Stile-Craft Manufacturers, Inc., St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Original application Feb. 17, 1955, Ser. No.488,793, now Patent No. 2,908,511, dated Oct. 13, 1959. Divided and this application Mar. 5, 1959, Ser. No.' 797,371

' A41Claims. (Cl. 24-230) This invention relates generally to a coupler assembly, and has particular .reference to an improved quick detachable coupler having asocket assembly adapted for wall mounting asa flush typeloutlet fixture.

This patent is agdivision of copendingUS; Patent No. 2,908,511, issu'edOctober 13, 1959 and entitled Coupler Assembly.

The apparatusof the present invention has particular application and service in Vhospitals and laboratories or wherever it is desired to provide a number of conveniently located supplyoutlets for fluid and suction lines. Wall outlets for oxygen and vacuum, for example, are standard equipment in modern'hospitals. It is the principal object ofthe present invention to provide improved wall outlet and coupling means whereby a hose may be quickly and simply plugged into a convenient fluid terminal assembly disposed in the building wall, and with equal facility unplugged therefrom. Y

An important object-is directed to the provision of means which may be operated in an extremely simple manner to yattach orQ-detach the hose. vThe lobject is achieved by the provision of an improved coupling assembly whereby an operative connection'is made by the simple expedientof inserting plug means on the hose iitting in the wallreceptacle, and release is accomplished 1 by a similar initially inward thrust of vtherhose terminal fitting. All that is required in both instances is a simple one hand manipulation ofthe hose tting. v

Another object is achieved in the provision of an improved wall outlet assembly including coupler .sockets which are automatically closed and protected by a dust shield when not in service. f.

Other objects vare directed'toimproved constructional provisions that greatly facilitate the work of installing a flush front outlet receptacle in arwall. This objectY is achieved by the-provision of a uid outlet terminal 'assembly which may be installedwith the piping in an unfinished wall, and Which includes a socket member which is adjustable to permit its forward end to be set in a 'predetermined position with respect to'the surface of the finished wall. Usually, such position is substantially flush with the Wall surface. My improved construction enables any irregularities `in theA mounting of the outlet assembly to be compensated for by simple adjustment of the socket member. l l

Yet another objectis'directed Vto improve constructional provisions that function Iautomatically to close olif the uid supply at the outlet receptacle when the socket member is removedyas for purposes' of replacing sealing gaskets or other elementswhich receivewear in use.

These and other objects and advantages will be more fully described in the following description setting forthv a practical working embodiment of my invention.

' Inthe drawings:

I3,003,213 Patented Oct. 11'), 19,61

ice

FIG. 1 is al perspective view of the hose terminal fitting, and a front elevational View of the flush type outlet;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the coupler assembly mounted in awall, and showing the parts in normal inoperative position; l

FIG, ,3 is a view partly in cross section as seen along line 3 3 of FIG. 2; v

FG. 4 is a cross sectional view of theicoupler assembly, showing the hose terminal' tting as it is m'oved into the supply terminal assembly;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional View of the coupler assembly showing the hose terminal fitting in its innermost position in which the latch pin moves into operative engagement with the latch plug; n i

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the couplerassembly showing the hose terminal fitting and supply terminal assembly operatively connected in the latched position, and

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional View of the coupler assembly `showing the hose terminal fitting moved slightly inwardly inthe supply terminal assembly,` so as to disengage the latching mechanism.

Referring now by characters of reference to the'drawings, the coupler assembly consists of a supply terminal assembly generally indicated at 10, and a hose terminal fitting referred to at 11.

The supply terminal assembly 10 includes `a basementber 12 constituting a fixed socket member having. side flanges 13 (FIG. 3) secured by screws 14 to a receptacle box indicated by 15. The receptacle box 1S is located in a vwall structure 16 (FIG.`2), and tis usually secured in place by attachment to the studding. `A longitudinal bore 17 is provided in base member 12, the bore 17 being closed at the inner end 20, 4and being open at the opposite outer end.

An extensible, tubular socket member 21, more clearly shown in FIG. 4 is received in longitudinal bore 17, and is carried by base member 12. rPhe socket member 21 includes an inner portion 22 slightly spaced from the Wall defining bore 17, a threaded portion 23 threadedly engaging base member 12, and a flanged outer head portion 24. After the base member l12 is fastened to receptacle 15, the socket member 21V is threadedly, longitudinally `adjusted in bore 17 so as to dispose the forward head portion 24 at a predetermined position with respect to the surface 25 of wall 16. Usually, such a position is in substantial alignment with surface 25 as is shown in FIG. 2, which realizes a iiush wall fixture. Any irregularities in the mounting of the receptacle 15 and Vbase member 12 can be compensated for by a simple adjustment of socket member 21. lAfter socket member 21` is adjusted to the desired extended position, nut 26 threadedly carried on socket portion 23 is tightened against base member 12, thus securing the socket member 21 in such predetermined position.

A secondary valve means is utilized to place a supply pipe Z7 selectively in communication with the bore 17 of base member l12. The supply pipe y2.7 passes through receptacle'lS, and is placed in communication with a chamber 30 formed in base member 12. A hollow cage `31 is carried by base member 12, and is located at the side of bore 17. Lateral openings 32 place the inside of cage 31 is communication with chamber 30. v A nut 33 is threadedly connected to base member 12, and is adapted to engage andclamp cage 31 in position. Elastic 3 =rings 34 provide an effective seal between base member 12 and nut 33 and cage 31. The wall defining bore 17 is provided with a port through which a valve element 35 carried internally of cage 31, extends for operative engagement with the inner end portion 22 of socket member 21. A compression spring I36 located in cage 31 tends to urge valve element 35 through the valve port, and toward a closed position.

It is seen that the valve port is held open when socket member 21 is in position, the inner end portion 22 hold ing valve element 35 ina retracted, open position. Thus, bore 17 is placed in communication with supply pipe 27 through chamber 30, opening 32, and thence through cage 31 and the valve port. When socket member 21 is removed from base member 12, the spring 36 urges valve element 35 inwardly to close the valve port, and thus automatically closes of the tluid supply.

As is shown in FIG. 4, the socket member 21 is provided with a longitudinal passage 37 having a reduced forward end portion 40. A primary valve element 41 is slidably carried by socket member 21 in passage 37. The valve element 41 consists of a reduced front por-` tion 42 that closely interits passage portion 40, and a head portion 43 that closely intertits the larger rear portion of passage 37.

-The head portion 43 is recessed to receive and seat one end ofa compression spring 44, the other end of the spring abutting the rear end 20 of bore 17. A valve seat or shoulder 45 is located in passage 37 and is adapted to abut a tapered shoulder 46 connecting the reduce front portion 42 and the head portion 43 of valve element 41. Slots 47 are formed laterally in head portion 43, and exd tend into shoulder 46, whereby to place the portion of passage 37 in front of head portion 43 in communication with the portion of passage '37 at the rear of the valve element 411 when shoulders 45 and 46 are sep'- arated.

When the coupler assembly is not in use, the spring 44 tends to urge valve element 41 forwardly to a closed position in which Valve shoulder 46 abuts passage shoulder 45, and in which the front portion 42 of the valve element 41 extends to the end of socket member 21 to provide a dust shield. Elastic O-ring 50 carried by valve element 41, and O-ring 51 carried by the end of socket member 21 serve to prevent the fluid from passing between the reduced passage portion 40 and the reduced valve portion 42.

The hose terminal litting r1.1 consists of a bridge piece 52 which carries a tubular valve plug 53 and a latch plug 54. One end of valve plug 53 is attached to a hose 58 (FIG. I1), while the other end is adapted to be insented into the passage 37 of socket member 21. The innermost end 55 of valve plug 53 is tapered, vand is provided with a series of openings 56 communicating with the bore 57 of the plug.

As valve plug 53 is inserted into passage 40 of socket member 21, the plug 53 depresses valve element 41 rearwardly against the compressive action of spring 44. When fully inserted, the tapered end 55 of plug 53 is located in the larger portion of passage 37, whereby to place the tubular plug 53 in communication with bore 17, and hence with supply pipe 27. The line of fiow is from pipe 27, through the secondary valve means and into bore 17, thence into the portion of passage 37 located at the rear of valve head 43, through slots 47 into the ,forward portion of passage 37 at the front of valve head 43, and thence through openings 56 and into bore 57 of the valve plug.

A bracket 60 is fastened by screw 61l to the anged outer head 24 of socket member 21. A latching unit, adapted to cooperate with latch plug 54 to provide a push-release type oflateh mechanism, includes an elongate housing 62 carried by bracket 60, the housing 6,2 having an upper wall 63 and side walls 64. 4Slidabl'yV located in housing 62 is a plunger 65 having an outstruck T-lug 66 operable in an elongate guide slot 67 formed in wall 63. The front end of plunger 65 is attached to a guide element 70 that is movable through an opening constituting a socket in bracket 60 for engagement with the latch plug 54.

Also located in housing 62 is a latch arm 71 having side flanges 72. Pivot means including L-shaped slots 73 formed in lianges 72, and pivot pin 74 disposed in the slots 73 serve to mount latch arm 71 between side walls 64 of the housing. The right hand ends of side flanges 72 are located just to the right of the L-shaped slots 73. The pin 74 is secured t'o walls 64. A non-circular bar 75 constituting4 a stop element retained between walls 64, and normally engages a' shoulder 76 formed on each side flange 72 and located at one 'side of pivot pin 74, when the latch arm '7. 1 is disposed in the normal inoperative position. A tension spring 77 interconnects the latch arm 71 with the rearl of plunger 65, and tends at all times to move ann 71 counterclockwise about pivot pin 74. A slot 89 is formed longitudinally along the center of the right hand side of the base frame 71. Specifically, one end of spring 77 is attached tothe right hand end of plunger 65, while the other end of spring 77 is attached to these base of arm 71 at the left end of slot 89.

In the initial inoperative position of latch arm 71, as is shown in FIG. 2, the rear end 80 of the arm 71 engages the lowermost portion of camming ledges 81 formed as side walls on the rear of plunger 65. The forward end of latch arm 71 is provided with a aligned elongate slots 82 formed in side flanges 72. A latch pin 83 is movably carried in slots 82. In other words, the pin 83 is free in slots 82 and not secured to anything. A leaf spring 84 fastened to latch arm 71 engages latch pin 83, and tends to' urge the pin toward the path of movement of the plunger 65 and eoaoting latch plug 54. The pin 83 coacts with catch abutment 79 formed by a slot 8'8 in plug 54 to lock the hose fitting to the supply assembly. When plunger 65 is located in its forwardmost position, the latch pin 83 engages camming shoulder 86 provided at the front end of plunger 65, and the guide element 70 extends through anannular bushing 85 in bracket 60 to provide an eiectiv'e dust shield.-

Since housing 62 is carried by socket member 21 by the interconnection of bracket 60, it Will appear that the guide element 70 constituting the forward end of plunger 65 will be located at substantially the same predetermined position with respect to wall surface 25 as the front end of socket member 21 and of valve element 41. A cover plate 88 is secured to fianged outer head 24 of socket member 21 and to bracket 60 by screw 87. The cover plate 88 fits over the forwardmost end of socket member 21, and over bushing 85 to provide a substantially flush mounted wall xture.

To connect the hose fitting 11 to supply assembly 10, the valve plug 53 is inserted into the passage 40 of socket member 21, and latch plug 54 is inserted into bushing 85 of latch housing 62. As valve plug 53 is moved inwardly, the plug 53 depresses valve element 41 rearwardly against the action of spring 44. When the valve plug 53 is fully inserted, as is shown in FIG. 5, the forward end 42 of valve element 41 clears the close fitting reduced passage por-tion 40 of passage 37, and hence valve plug 53 is placed in communication with the bore 17 and supplyk pipe 27 through openings 56, all in the manner previously described.

As the latch -plug 54 is moved inwardly, it depresses the plunger 65 reanwardly against the action of spring 77. Asv the plunger 65 lis moved rearwardly, the latch pin 83 is cammed along slots 82 by shoulders 86 so as to ride over the front end of plunger 65 and the latch plug 54. This movement of latch pin 83 is clearly shown by the relative positions shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. It is also seen that stop element 75 engaging ledge 76 prevents the latch arm 7-1 from being moved about pivot pin 74 by spring 77 as plunger 65 is depressed.

When plunger 65 is lfully depressed by latch plug 54, the latch pin 83 is moved along slots `82 by spring 84 toward the path of movement of plug 64, and into operative engagement with catch abutment 79. This position is shown in FIG. 5. Subsequently, upon manual release of the hose litting 11, the hose :litting 11 and hence latch plug 54 is moved slightly outwardly automatically under the cooperative action of springs 44 and 7.7 to the position shown in FIG. 6. As the latch plug `54 moves outwardly to such position, the catch abutment 79 engages latch pin 83 and moves latch anni T1 forwardly to the position of FIG. 6. The sloping catch abutment 79 0i slot 8S is urged against pin 83 by springs 44 and 77, and holds arm 7.1 against pivoting while in engaged position. During this translatory movement of latch arm 71, the L-shaped pivot slots 73 are moved so that the pivot pin 74 is located `at the rear of one leg of such slots, which enables ledge 76 to clear and operatively disengage from stop element 75. Then, the tension torce of spring 77 moves the rear end of latch arm 7'1 toward the plunger 65 so that pivot pin 74 is relatively moved into the other leg of L-shaped slots 73.

Because the surface of abutment 79 is inclined the latch pin 83 held against such abutment 79 4and lthe latch arm 71 is thereby precluded from pivoting, -when the plug l54 is located in this latched outermost position. Simple outward movement of latch plug 54 cannot unlock the plug 54 because such movement is stopped by the engagement of pin 83 with abutment 79.

To release the hose tt-ing 11, the fitting .'11 and hence latch plug S4 is rst merely pushed inwardly to :the extent shown in FIG. 7, whereupon latch pin 83 is moved out of operative engagement with abutment 79. The latch arm 71 and latch pin 83 are moved out of the path of plug 54 by the action of spring 77 pivoting the latch arm 71 about pivot pin 74. The latch plug 54 is now unlocked. As the latch plug 54 is removed, the plunger moves forwardly under the action of spring 77 so that shoulder 81 engages the rear of latch arm 71, and hence serves to cam `the arm 71 so that the pivot pin 74 is relatively moved into the other leg of slots 73. Then spring 77 acts to move the latch arm 7.1 rearwardly to the initial inoperative position shown in FIG. 2, in Iwhich the stop element 75 operatively engages ledge 76 of arm 71. Of course, upon withdrawal of hose tting 11, the valve element 41 is moved Iforwardly to the closed position.

Under some circumstances and fields of usage, it becomes important that the hose titting 1l should not rotate. For instance, containers may be attached in communication with the valve plug 53 for numerous purposes in laboratory and hospital uses, and of course, such containers must be retained in an upright vertical position. The latch plug 54 carried by bridge piece 52, and its cooperation with the latch unit carried by the supply terminal lassembly 10, prevents the valve plug 53 from being rotated while in connected, operative assembly.

Further advantages are realized by the spacing of latch plug S4 from valve plug 53. It is possible to have a particular spacing in hose fittings between the latch and valve plugs which will permit the ttings to be connected only to certain supply outlets. -For example, one such spacing will permit such hose iitting to be connected only to an oxygen outlet, while different spacing in another itting ywill permit connection of such yfitting only to supply outlets for suction lines. Thus, it is possible to prevent a particular hose iitting from being mistakenly connected to the wrong supply assembly.

Although the invention has been 4described by making detailed reference to ya single preferred embodiment, such one member, and having a catch abutment, a latching unit including a housing mounted on the other said member, a latch arm, a plunger slidably mounted in said housing and engageable with said latchfiplug upon. insertion of the plug, pivot means mounting said latch ar-m in said housing, spring means interconnecting the plunger and said latch arm, a movable latch element carried by said latch -arm and adapted to engage said abutment, a stop element engaging said latch arm to prevent move ment of said latch arm about said pivot means by said spring means upon initial depression of the plunger by the latch plug, said pivot means including a slot permitting a translatory movement of said latch arm to disengage the stop element from said latch arm, whereby to permit the spring means to move the latch arm and latch element to release the plug, and means for restoring operative engagement of the stop element and said latch arm.

2. In a latching device for a pair of relatively movable members, said device including a latch plug mounted on one member, and having a catch abutment, a latching unit including a housing mounted on the other said member, a latch arm, a plunger slidably mounted in said housing and engageable with said latch plug upon insertion of said plug, spring means interconnecting said plunger and said latch arm, and latch arm being provided With a slot, a latch element movably carried in said slot, and adapted to engage said abutment, pivot means mounting said latch arm in said housing, a stop element engaging said latch arm to prevent the spring means from operatively pivoting the latch arm upon depression of the plunger by the latch plug, said pivot means permitting a translatory movement of said latch arm to disengage the stop element and said latch arm, whereby to permit the spring means to move the latch arm and the latch element to release the plug upon subsequent disengagement of 4the latch element from the abutment, and means for restoring operative engagement of the stop element and said latch arm.

3. In a latching device for a pair of relatively movable members, said device including a latch plug mounted on one member, and having a catch abutment, a latchng unit including a housing mounted on the other member, a latch arm, a plunger slidably mounted in said housing and engageable with said latch plug upon insertion of said plug, spring means interconnecting said plunger and said latch arm, said latch arm Ibeing provided with a slot, a latch pin carried in said slot, a camming shoulder on said plunger adapted to move said pin in said slot upon `depression of said plunger by said plug, the latch pin being movable in said slot yto engage said catch abutment, pivot means mounting said latch arm in said housing, a stop element engaging said latch arm to prevent the spring means from operatively moving the latch arm upon initial depression of said plunger, said pivot means permitting a translatory movement of said latch arm to disengage the stop element and the latch arm after engagement of said pin and said abutment, whereby to permit the spring means to move the latch arm and the latch pin to release the plug upon subsequent disengagement of the pin from the abutment, and means for restoring operative engagement of the stop element and said -latch arm.

4. In a latching `device for a pair of relatively movable members, said device including a latch plug mounted on one member, and having a catch abutment, a latching unit including la housing mounted on the other member, a latch arm, a plunger slidably mounted in said housing and engageable with said latch plug upon insertion of said plug, a pivot means mounting the latch arm in said housing, the latch arm being provided with a slot located fat the front of -said pivot means, a latch pin movable in said slot, and adapted to engage -said abutment, a shoulder located on said latch arm at the rear of said pivot members, said device including a latch plug mounted on means, a spring means interconnecting the plunger and said latch arm, a stop element engaging said shoulder to prevent the spring means from operatively moving said latch arm upon initial depression of the plunger by said plug, camming means on said plunger adapted to move said pin in said slot upon such depression of the plunger, said pivot means including a slotted portion that permits a `translatory movement of said latch arm to disengage Vthe stop element and the shoulder after operati-ve engagement of said pin and said abutment, the spring means being adapted to pivot said latch arm and to dsengage 10 8 the pin upon subsequent inward movement of said plunger, and means for restoring operative engagement 0f the stop element and said shoulder upon Withdrawal of said plug.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,581,557 Rozas Jan. 8, 1952 

